CARACAS, Venezuela (AP) - The Texas company that chartered an oil research ship seized last week by Venezuela said it expects the vessel and its international crew to be released soon.

Anadarko Petroleum Corp. spokesman John Christiansen says Venezuelan authorities treated those aboard the Panamanian-flagged ship in a "respectful manner" and says the vessel "will reportedly be released in the near future." He declined to provide additional details on Tuesday.

The ship and its 36-man crew have been anchored since Sunday off Margarita Island in the Caribbean. The crew includes five Americans and workers from Russia, Indonesia and Brazil.

The ship was intercepted by Venezuela's navy while operating in disputed waters off the coast of Guyana.

Diplomats of the two countries will meet Thursday in Trinidad and Tobago to discuss the incident.

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